Salem-News.com Audio articles

Oregon Food Bank Stretches to Meet `Staggering` Demand (AUDIO)

About one-third of emergency food box recipients are either retired or looking for work.

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - Food is heading out the doors of Oregon Food Bank network locations almost as fast as it's coming in. There's been a 13 percent increase in the number of emergency food boxes distributed for the fiscal year that ended in June. The boxes contain enough to feed a family for several days.

There has been a 13 percent increase in the number of emergency food boxes distributed for the fiscal year that ended in June. The boxes contain enough to feed a family for several days.

Salem-News.com TOP STORIES for Tuesday (AUDIO REPORT)

Here are today`s top stories from Salem-News.com, Kevin Hays reporting. Listen to the audio report by scrolling to bottom of story.

(SALEM) - Gary Phillips, a Salem-Keizer School District school bus driver, remains in critical condition today after being hit Monday morning while walking on his way to work.
- Salem firefighters evacuated 160 people following an ammonia leak at the Rainsweet plant in Northeast Salem Tuesday morning.
- Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski, joined by family and friends, took the oath of office Monday for his second four-year term as Governor of Oregon, calling upon all Oregonians to work together in building a brighter future.
- Frigid weather is on the way to the mid-valley. The National Weather Service says a blast of cold air from Canada will arrive Wednesday and linger into the weekend.

Salem-News.com Weekend Wrap Up (AUDIO REPORT)

Here are today’s top stories from Salem-News.com, Kevin Hays reporting. (Scroll to bottom to listen to audio report)

(SALEM) - A fire Friday night in southeast Salem has displaced four families from the Village East Apartment complex. Fortunately no one was injured during the 11:00 PM fire and evacuation. One firefighter was taken to Salem Hospital with unknown injuries.

Salem-News.com will have complete coverage of the 2007 Legislative session beginning on Monday.

Salem police are asking for the public’s help in finding a suspect who robbed two northeast Salem convenience stores early Friday morning.

The War in Iraq may dominate the headlines but as Salem-News.com’s Tim King tells us in his latest Dispatches From Afghanistan report, soldiers at remote outposts in Afghanistan are seeing plenty of action.

Oregon guard Aaron Brooks scored 25 points, including the game-winning base-line jumper with :13 seconds left, as #16 Oregon handed #1 UCLA its first loss of the season, 68-66 on Saturday at McArthur Court. (MORE)

DMV to Stop Accepting Rental Agreements as Proof of Address (AUDIO)

Applicants need at least one document from the DMV’s list of acceptable documents to prove their address if they do not already have an Oregon driver license, instruction permit or ID card showing their current address.

(SALEM) - Beginning Friday, the Oregon DMV will no longer accept rental agreements or lease contracts as proof of residence when customers apply for driver licenses or identification cards because they are too easy to counterfeit.

ODOT spokesman David House says state law requires proof of a person’s home address before DMV can issue a driver license, instruction permit or ID card because only Oregon residents are eligible for Oregon driving privileges and ID cards.

More Questions Than Answers in Child Drowning (AUDIO)

Hear this story and more Salem-area news from Salem-News.com’s Kevin Hays on Newsradio 1190 KEX

(ALBANY) - Investigators say they still don’t know how a 16-month old child left in the care of a relative drowned Friday in a backyard pool in Albany.

Albany police and an ambulance responded to the home located at 3666 Tudor Way S.E. at 11:30 AM Monday on a report of a possible child drowning.

When crews arrived on scene, they say they located little Joelle Carr, who was found unconscious and unresponsive in 2 feet of water. It is reported that the youngster was being cared for by her grandmother while her parents were at work.

Kulongoski, Smith, Others Call on President Bush to Sign Stem Cell Research Bill (AUDIO)

Both say that new research could lead to dramatic health care innovations.

(SALEM) - As the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2005 (HR 810) moves through Congress, Governor Kulongoski, Oregon Senator Gordon Smith, and others urged passage of the health care initiative.

"Stem cell research holds the potential to significantly benefit as many as 100 million Americans with new cures for some of the world’s most deadly diseases," the Governor said. "I urge the Bush administration not to play politics with important scientific research that could save many lives and lead to dramatic health care innovations."

Oregon County Fairs Taking Precautions Against Avian Flu (AUDIO)

Experts say precautions are necessary to ensure safety, one of the primary things is for people to wash hands after any contact with animals.

(SALEM) - Oregon’s county fair season kicks-off this week, and state officials are taking precautions to protect animals and the public from Avian Influenza.

With Avian Flu affecting other parts of the world, and fears that it may soon spread to the U.S., the Oregon Department of Agricultures key safety concept for county fairs this summer is bio-security.

State Veterinarian Dr. Don Hansen says ODA will be asking exhibitors for permission to examine poultry.

McMinnville Soldier Recovering From Injuries Sustained in Iraq Roadside Attack (AUDIO)

Hear This Story And More Salem-Area News on Newsradio 1190 KEX.

(MCMINNVILLE) - A 22-year-old McMinnville soldier is recovering in a Texas military hospital from burns suffered in a roadside attack on his Bradley fighting vehicle on June 23rd in Iraq.

Salvador Trujillo-Lopez suffered second- and third-degree burns over 40 percent of his body, according to his wife, Brittnay.

She is with her husband at Brook Army Medical Center, at San Antonio's Fort Sam Houston, where he is expected to spend the rest of the year.

Be Aware! Salem Area Road Construction Report (AUDIO)

Be prepared for your Salem-area commute with our daily, and weekend Salem-area road construction reports, heard exclusively on Salem-News.com.

(SALEM) - Beginning Sunday night. Drivers need to watch for lane closures on Lockhaven Drive as crews pave the street near Keizer Station.

The work is a continuation of a project to revamp, widen and improve the road.

Crews will overlay Lockhaven from west of the railroad tracks to McLeod Lane NE, and continuing through to Klicitat Drive during evening hours.

The work began Sunday and should be completed by Wednesday morning.

Smith Proposes Southern Oregon Grazing Buyout (AUDIO)

The proclamation of the Monument in 2000 by President Clinton made the future of grazing uncertain within the Monument’s boundaries.

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) - Oregon Senator Gordon H. Smith has released a draft proposal regarding grazing in the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument in southern Oregon. The proposal, which Smith will introduce as legislation in the coming weeks, is the result of lengthy discussions between Senator Smith, cattle ranchers and environmentalists.

“I think buyouts should be rare,” Smith said. “But these circumstances are unique and are putting the squeeze on our ranchers. This legislation is needed to keep them in business and in the saddle. Instead of turning to the courts, two interested parties found common ground to solve this problem. That’s the Oregon way and a great basis for legislation.”